Blue Ridge Trail Golf Course, Mountaintop, will be the setting for the Fourth Annual Vocations Golf Classic to be hosted by the Diocese of Scranton on Monday, August 5, to benefit the Saint John Vianney Endowment Fund. The tournament features the captain and crew format and begins with lunch at 11 a. m. and a shotgun start at 12 noon. A reception and awards dinner immediately follows play. The St. John Vianney Endowment, named for the patron of parish priests, was created to accept permanently restricted donations for Diocesan seminary education and formation.

“Each year, through the Vocations Golf Classic, we raise needed funds which ensures that we continue to foster new vocations and prepare future priests for service in our Diocese,” said the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D. D.,J. C. L., Bishop of Scranton, who is honorary chair. “I am grateful for the tremendous support from the volunteers, sponsors, golfers and donors who make the tournament possible, and I look forward to participating in the tournament again this year.”

The past three tournaments have raised over $225,000 for the Vianney Endowment. The cost of educating one seminarian exceeds $30,000 per year. “Our hope is that the expense of education never prevents any man from stepping forward to answer God’s call,” explained Rev. Donald J. Williams, Director of Vocations and Seminarians, and golf committee chair.

The golf committee has designated the late Rev. William B. Healey as Tournament Honoree for 2013 in memoriam. “The Vianney Endowment was important to him,” explained Father Williams. “Father Healey loved the game of golf and more importantly he loved his priestly ministry. He played in the Vocations tournament every year in support of our diocesan efforts to nurture new vocations.” Rev. Healey served as pastor of Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Hawley, for 33 years prior to his retirement. He died last February following a brief illness.

Also serving on the Vocation Golf committee is Rev. Joseph Evanko, pastor of St. Jude in Mountaintop, .

Golfer packages for the tournament start at $250. Hole sponsorships are available at $100 and donations of any amount are welcome. Brochures with complete information are available on the web at www.DioceseofScranton.org,under the Vocations tab, or by calling the Diocesan Development Office at 570-207-2250.